Children under assault by media

Friday

Dec 21, 2012 at 6:00 AM

A Telegram & Gazette editorial (“Stepping in,” Dec. 11) brings into focus the mental health problems of our children. This generation of adolescents is facing the most uncertain future ever in this country.

How do parents deal with the devastating effects of watching idolized sports figures shown blatantly corrupt? When gallant and respected military personnel engage in dishonorable behavior and become the butt of jokes? When new hands are employed to take over the operation of a much loved Muppet because the original hands have become too soiled?

Scandal has reached the nursery.

Movies suggest children will be required to fight games to the death to protect their families. They are daily bombarded with information that the world is to end today. Children are very perceptive. They listen to talk of new taxes and spending and know they will be footing the bill. Social Security is not secure. So much is accepted at face value that these young minds cannot separate fact from fiction.

TV has made misbehavior cute and funny. The bleeps engaged fail to conceal profanity. Commercials tout personal hygiene products to solve problems that were not even discussed in the past. Gay marriage is constantly in the news. Young women choose to become unwed mothers because the welfare system gives them more benefits than a husband. What are we doing to them?

Overwhelmed parents need all the help they can get to provide desperately needed reassurance. The children must be protected if this nation is to survive.